Korankei Gorge Autumn Leaves 2026 Confirmed

香嵐渓の紅葉 — Toyota, Aichi (Tokai)

Korankei is the undisputed foliage king of the Tokai region: roughly 4,000 maples blanketing Mt. Iimori and the Tomoe River valley outside the old post town of Asuke. Color peaks from mid-to-late November, and during the month-long Korankei Momiji Festival in November the valley is illuminated every night from sunset to 9pm — the lit maples reflected in the river around the Taigetsukyo Bridge are the signature image. Expect a full-scale festival atmosphere with food stalls, and expect company: this is one of Japan's busiest foliage sites.

Background

The maples trace to the 1630s, when a priest of Kojakuji Temple began planting trees along the approach as an act of devotion. Local residents continued adding maples over the centuries, building today's forest. The adjacent town of Asuke prospered as a post town on the old salt road inland.

Getting there

There is no train; take the Meitetsu bus from Toyotashi Station (about 45 minutes) or from Higashi-Okazaki Station (about 70 minutes), both reachable from Nagoya on the Meitetsu line. During festival weekends, roads into the valley jam for hours and parking fills early, so the bus is strongly recommended.

Tips

• Weekend traffic during the November festival is notorious — go on a weekday, or take the bus and travel outside the 10am-to-3pm crush.
• Entry to the valley is free; come hungry for the festival stalls and Asuke's local specialties like grilled ayu and zaimoku dango.
• For the illumination, position yourself across the Tomoe River from Taigetsukyo Bridge just after sunset, when there is still blue in the sky behind the lit maples.
• Walk 10 minutes into the preserved streetscape of Asuke, an Important Preservation District, and visit the Sanshu Asuke Yashiki open-air craft museum between daytime color and the light-up.

Last verified against the official source: Mon, July 6, 2026